Gonski talks make 'good progress' ahead of COAG

There are signs of progress in negotiations between the federal and state governments over a plan to overhaul school funding.

It is now just a week until Prime Minister Julia Gillard will sit down with state leaders to try to reach a new education funding deal.

Officials at both levels of government have been locked in negotiations over how it will be paid for, including the split between the Commonwealth and the states.

Federal Education Minister Peter Garrett says progress is being made, but the negotiations have not been easy.

"Those negotiations have clearly quickened over the last month and with a bit over a week to go before the COAG meeting we are at the final stages of those negotiations, and I'm reasonably pleased that we continue to make good progress," he said.

"I think we have to take a step back and recognise school funding reform on this scale is one of the most challenging, difficult and complex tasks that we can set ourselves.

"So it's inevitably going to be a lengthy and difficulty process, but we have made very good progress."

Mr Garrett says he is confident that come Friday there will be a deal put on the table.

"I'm very confident we will have something which is comprehensive, which has been the subject of significant negotiation," he said.

"There may be some small aspects of it that still need to be considered by the Prime Minister and the premiers. That's a matter for the ongoing negotiation.

"Then after that, this is a question for state premiers and treasurers as well as education ministers to recognise the important national interest in getting this new education funding model in place."

Mr Garrett issued a reminder that for a deal to work, states will be expected to pay their fair share.

"We've got to recognise that it does require us to put the interest of students first and work in a cooperative and collaborative manner," he said.

Some states appear positive that a deal will be reached.

Although Queensland Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek says he still wants more information.